Ibrahim Qatkhuda al-Kazdagli

Ibrahim Qatkhuda al-Kazdagli ( Died in 1754), Mameluke of Georgian origin, fac tual ruler of Ottoman Egypt in 1748-1754. He belonged to the House of Kazdagli that was controlled by the military commanders of Janissary Corps deployed in Cairo. Overwhelming wealth helped them dominate the political arena of Egypt. In 1735 Ibrahim became a chavoush (officer) of Janissary Corps. In 1738-1739 he served as a guide and guard of the caravans of pilgrims, traveling to Mecca. Later he filled the position of the Head of the Kazdagli House. In 1748, together with Rudvan, Qatkhuda (commander) of Azebani Corps, he banished Rajab Pasha, the Ottoman ruler, from Egypt and temporarily assumed the duties of Janissary Corps Commander. Formally he ranked second after the Agha and was regarded as his deputy, although, actually he became No. 1 leader in the country. Thereafter he was referred to as Ibrahim Qatkhuda al-Kazdagli. Together with Qatkhuda Ridvan he set up a duumvirate, which ruled Egypt till 1754. Ibrahim had the leading part in the duumvirate. According to Egyptian sources „he possessed immense power, grandeur, insight and authority that had never been witnessed in Egypt before“. Ibrahim ruled the country by means of Ottoman institutions: he purchased Mamelukes and promoted them to high positions. As of the second half of the 18th century Egypt was ruled by the Mamelukes (mostly of Georgian origin), who belonged to his House.

By unconfirmed information, Ibrahim Qatkhuda al-Kazdagli was killed by his rivals. He was buried at Karafa Cemetery in Cairo.